Sai Pallavi sees her alter ego in IPS officer Nithya Reddy in 'Om'
Synopsis
Sai Pallavi has opened up about her character in 'Om' — an IPS officer named Nithya Reddy who heads the film's central operation — calling her an alter ego. With Dhanush and Mammootty sharing the screen for the first time, Naseeruddin Shah in support, and a 'Chapter 1' tagline teasing a franchise, the 20 November release is shaping up as one of the most anticipated Tamil films of the year.
Key Takeaways
Sai Pallavi plays IPS officer Nithya Reddy in 'Om' , calling the character her alter ego.
Nithya Reddy is an Andhra Pradesh cadre IPS officer elevated to the CBI as Additional Superintendent to work with Interpol — and is the officer running Operation OM .
The film stars Dhanush and Mammootty together for the first time , alongside Naseeruddin Shah and Sreeleela . 'Om' is now scheduled for release on 20 November 2025 , after being postponed from October 16 out of respect for Rajinikanth 's 'Jailer 2' .
The film carries a 'Chapter 1' tagline, indicating a planned sequel or franchise.
This is Sai Pallavi 's second collaboration with director Rajkumar Periasamy after 'Amaran' .
Actress Sai Pallavi has revealed that she sees her alter ego in the character of Nithya Reddy, an IPS officer she plays in director Rajkumar Periasamy's upcoming action entertainer 'Om', which also stars Tamil star Dhanush and Malayalam superstar Mammootty. The actress also thanked the director for casting her in the role, which was officially unveiled on Monday, 27 October 2025.
Who is Nithya Reddy
According to the character introduction video released by the makers, Nithya Reddy is an IPS officer from the Andhra Pradesh cadre, described as honest, sharp, and remarkably experienced for her age. After serving with the Andhra Pradesh Police, she is inducted into the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as Additional Superintendent to work alongside Interpol. Crucially, Nithya Reddy is the officer running the central operation titled 'OM' — making her a pivotal figure in the film's narrative.
What Sai Pallavi and the Director Said
Director Rajkumar Periasamy, sharing the character introduction video on X, wrote: 'HER! The PERFORMER @Sai_Pallavi92, You will never cease to amaze! Here's #SaiPallavi as #NithyaReddy, IPS, Naidupeta Ammayi frOM #OM.' Responding to the post, Sai Pallavi wrote: 'Dear @Rajkumar_KP sir, Thank you so much for choosing me again and this time play to play Nithya Reddy! I see my alter ego in her.' This marks their second collaboration after the critically acclaimed 'Amaran'.
Release Date and Earlier Postponement
'Om' is now scheduled to release on 20 November 2025. The film was originally set for an October 16 opening but was postponed after Dhanush announced that the team chose to step aside out of respect for superstar Rajinikanth, whose film 'Jailer 2' released on October 15. The Deepavali slot was also ruled out, as Suriya's film had already been confirmed for that date.
A High-Profile Ensemble and Big-Budget Scale
The film has generated considerable excitement as the first-ever on-screen collaboration between Dhanush and Mammootty. Mammootty plays a character named Karthikeyan. Notably, the Malayalam superstar recently celebrated his National Award win on the film's sets alongside fellow National Award winners Dhanush, director Rajkumar Periasamy, and editor Kalaivanan. The unit also completed a schedule in Malaysia. Bollywood veteran Naseeruddin Shah is also part of the cast. The title carries a 'Chapter 1' tagline, hinting strongly at a planned franchise.
Story and Technical Team
The film's title teaser revealed that the story revolves around the illegal trade in red sanders, with Dhanush playing a woodcutter who comes to the rescue of workers held at gunpoint by police. Sreeleela joins Sai Pallavi as the other lead actress. Music for the film is composed by Sai Abhyankkar, with cinematography by Ezhil Arasu, editing by Kalaivanan R, and costumes by Kavya Sriram. Wunderbar Films head Sreyas has described it as one of the biggest-budget films of Dhanush's career. With a star-studded cast and November 20 fast approaching, all eyes are on whether 'Om: Chapter 1' can live up to its considerable hype.
Point of View
Reinforcing authenticity at a time when South Indian cinema faces scrutiny over token female roles. The franchise framing ('Chapter 1') suggests the makers are betting big on this universe — a risk that hinges entirely on whether the first film delivers both commercially and critically in a crowded November window.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who does Sai Pallavi play in the film 'Om'?
Sai Pallavi plays Nithya Reddy, an IPS officer from the Andhra Pradesh cadre who is inducted into the CBI as Additional Superintendent to work with Interpol. She is the officer running the central operation in the film, which is codenamed 'OM'.
When is 'Om' releasing in cinemas?
'Om' is scheduled to release on 20 November 2025. It was originally planned for 16 October but was postponed out of respect for Rajinikanth's 'Jailer 2', which released on 15 October.
Why is 'Om' considered a landmark film?
'Om' marks the first-ever on-screen collaboration between Dhanush and Mammootty. The film also features Naseeruddin Shah, Sai Pallavi, and Sreeleela, and is described as one of the biggest-budget productions of Dhanush's career.
What is the story of 'Om' about?
The film's title teaser revealed that the story is set against the backdrop of illegal red-sanders smuggling, with Dhanush playing a woodcutter. The 'Chapter 1' tagline suggests the makers have planned it as the first entry in a franchise.
Is 'Om' Sai Pallavi's first film with director Rajkumar Periasamy?
No. Sai Pallavi and Rajkumar Periasamy previously collaborated on 'Amaran'. 'Om' is their second film together, and Sai Pallavi publicly thanked the director for casting her again in such a significant role.
